Thirteen-year-old Chloe has been kicking goals on the futsal court and she can't get enough!

When did you start playing futsal?

I joined a local competition when I was 9-years-old and had been playing soccer for two years. All my friends were doing it!

How did you know you were good at it?

People told me every time I played so I started to believe I was good. That gave me confidence, and I worked to become an even better player and I scored heaps of goals every game!

What do you love about the game?

It's such a fun game and keeps you happy and fit. It's an awesome feeling when you score and everyone cheers and congratulates you. I loveis having the ball at your feet and knowing that there will be people around you to support you, both on the sideline and on the court.

How do you feel when you play?

I feel great! I love learning more and more about what to do in certain situations. After each game, I want to play again and again and again. If the team that plays after me needs an extra player, despite Mum and Dad’s thoughts about staying an extra hour, I always volunteer because it means more futsal!

What levels have you played at?

I have played at levels ranging from school competitions to an Australian level competition. There is a major difference between those levels obviously, because in the Nationals it's an intense, fast, skilful game, whereas at school level, it's more a friendly, slow, game. I enjoy both.

What have been some of your best moments?

I made my first representative side to compete at an Under 12 State Soccer Carnival when I was 10. At 11 I was named the Player of the Tournament in a mixed girls and boys South West Queensland competition. I have made the Regional side every year since 2012.

In 2015 I was selected in a Queensland futsal team. Finally, I was selected in the Australian under 15 futsal side to tour Brazil in 2016. But my proudest moment was when my state futsal team made it to the Australian Grand Final. Although we lost 3-2, I was lucky enough to score both our goals, but the memories of being in the greatest team of all time will stay with me forever!

What kind of training do you do?

I train with my local soccer club twice a week during winter, and I train with my school futsal team in 1-2 hour sessions. Along with that, I train with all my representative teams in futsal and soccer. Most afternoons I also go outside onto our tennis court and kick the ball around to practise new skills and tricks for about an hour. My training usually includes practising ball control, shooting at goal, practising tricks, one-on-one skill games, and strategy exercises.

Sarah

Amy

Does anything ever hold you back?

I think what holds me back is fear of failure because I so love to play and I really hope to have a future in this sport. Another thing is playing in mixed teams because the boys tend to get a lot more attention than the girls and they get more game time which is a bit unfair because I love playing just as much as they do!

How do you fit school in?

Sometimes it is difficult when I am playing futsal on school nights because I miss out on the bucket load of homework I have to do. It's also hard when I have to go away or take a day off for futsal but I have very understanding teachers and caring friends who help me to catch up. I have learnt to work around not being able to complete my homework because I do extra the night before. I believe if I want to play futsal and have a good education at the same time, I need to try to fit everything in.

What else do you do for fun?

I like to run, draw, study, eat, watch movies and socialise with friends and family.